I am thirteen years old and my father recently passed away from aorta dissection, he was 45. Three of my grandparents are living well, and one grandmother passed away from breast cancer. All other members of my immediate family are alive and healthy, disease free. However, my mother recently took me to a cardiologist, who gave me an EKG, which showed up with a QT interval of 460-470, astoundingly high. She thought I have Long QT Syndrome, however, none of my family has a history of this, which from my research I understand is genetically transmitted.

I am a competitive swimmer and I do rigorous training 6 days a week, about 3 hours a day. I lift weights, run miles, and of course, swim. I am very active and healthy, and I work out quite a bit. I swim about 5000-10000 yards per practice, and run about 2 miles. Long QT Syndrome can cause sudden death when you do strenous excercise. I have a shot at making the USA National Team this coming swim season, however with this I am very concerned. I cannot practice and I am crying and having almost anxiety attacks. Like anybody, I want my results back!

I am scheduled for a stress test next week as well as more EKGs. More cardiologist appointments, as well as genetic bloodwork which will be done. I'm wondering, however, if the EKGs can be inaccurate. So far, in my lifetime, this is my first one. I do not want this to be the end of my swimming career, for I am very active. I don't exactly trust this cardiologist, as I am an athlete and Italy recently conducted a research where many elite level athletes tested 500+ with rigorous training. I'm wondering if the EKG can be inaccurate. The cardiologist claims that EKGs are the most accurate, but I am extremely worried. Also, my mother has a friend who is a doctor and she said that sometimes EKGs can be very sensitive. What does that mean, and what affects it?

So two questions, how can EKGs be unaccurate? I drank about 20 oz. of Gatorade the morning before the EKG, as I had swim practice. I wonder if being nervous or uncomfortable can have factors in the EKG, or how an EKG result could be influenced by other factors? This cardiologist claims the only factor that can affect an EKG result is some medications.

And, also, from this information, how possible would it be that I have Long QT Syndrome? Right now I am hoping for the best but I am very afraid that it will come to the worst possible scenario. Thanks.

If any experts on this can help me answer my questions, it would be a great relief as my mother and I are looking for some sort of transparency on the disease. We'd just like to know more and many of the results found on the internet are extremely confusing.

First off let me say I am not an expert at all on Long QT, but I do understand your frustration. On a side note, I actually work in the aquatics field :)

Anyway, it has been my experience with EKGs that they are testing you at that exact moment. I was told when an arrhythmia showed up on one of mine, that it may not be a forever thing, and just how my heart was acting at that moment. I have had several EKGs...but like I said I am no expert.

If you or your mother have any doubts about what the doctor told you, get a second opinion.....even if you don't have doubts, sometimes when you are looking at something so serious it is a good idea to get a second opinion. Your health isn't something to mess around with.

Welcome to HealingWell and I would strongly suggest you discuss your many questions with your physician who performed your test. Most 13 year olds would need some help understanding the anatomy and physiology of the heart. In fact most adults not in the medical field would need some education re interpretation of the findings on a EKG.